SAFETY DATA SHEET

1   PRODUCT AND SUPPLIER IDENTIFICATION

Product Name:    Zirconium Boride - powder

Formula:             ZrB₂

Supplier:             ESPI Metals

                            1050 Benson Way

                            Ashland, OR 97520

Telephone:          800-638-2581

Fax:                     541-488-8313

Email:                  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Emergency:         Infotrac 800-535-5053 (US) or 352-323-3500 (24 hour)

Recommended Uses:   Scientific Research

2   HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION 

GHS Classification (29 CFR 1910.1200):   Not classified as hazardous

GHS Label Elements:

Signal Word: N/A

Hazard Statements: N/A

Precautionary Statements: N/A

3   COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Ingredient:         Zirconium Boride

CAS#:                  12045-64-6

%:                       100

EC#:                    234-963-5

Common Names and Synonyms: Zirconium Diboride

4   FIRST AID MEASURES

General Measures: Remove patient from area of exposure.

INHALATION: Remove to fresh air, keep warm and quiet, give oxygen if breathing is difficult. Seek medical attention.

INGESTION: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention. Never induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing, brush material off skin, wash affected area with soap and water. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

EYES: Flush eyes with lukewarm water, including under upper and lower eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Most Important Symptoms/Effects, Acute and Delayed: May cause irritation. See section 11 for more information.

Indication of Immediate Medical Attention and Special Treatment: No other relevant information available.

5   FIREFIGHTING MEASURES

Extinguishing Media: Use suitable extinguishing agent for surrounding materials and type of fire.

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: No information available.

Specific Hazards Arising from the Material: May emit toxic fumes under fire conditions.

Special Protective Equipment and Precautions for Firefighters: Full face, self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes.

6   ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal Precautions, Protective Equipment, and Emergency Procedures: Wear appropriate respiratory and protective equipment specified in section 8. Isolate spill area and provide ventilation. Avoid breathing dust or fume. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Eliminate all sources of ignition.

Methods and Materials for Containment and Cleaning Up: Avoid dusting of powder to the greatest extent possible. Sweep or vacuum up spill using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Place in properly labeled closed containers for further handling and disposal.

Environmental Precautions: Do not flush to sewer, stream, or other bodies of water. Do not allow to enter drains or to be released to the environment.

7   HANDLING AND STORAGE

Precautions for Safe Handling: Handle in an enclosed, controlled process. Avoid creating dust. Provide adequate ventilation if dusts are created. Avoid breathing dust or fumes. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wash thoroughly before eating or smoking. See section 8 for information on personal protection equipment.

Conditions for Safe Storage, Including Any Incompatibilities: Store in a cool, dry area. Store material tightly sealed in properly labeled containers. Do not store together with oxidizers. See section 10 for more information on incompatible materials.

8   EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION

Exposure Limits:                      OSHA/PEL:                                ACGIH/TLV:

Zirconium Boride                        No exposure limit established       No exposure limit established

Zirconium Compounds (as Zr)      5 mg/m³                                    5 mg/m³

Appropriate Engineering Controls: When working with finely divided powders handle in a controlled, enclosed environment if possible. Whenever possible the use of local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls is the preferred method of controlling exposure to airborne dust and fume to meet established occupational exposure limits. Use good housekeeping and sanitation practices. Do not use tobacco or food in work area. Wash thoroughly before eating or smoking. Do not blow dust off clothing or skin with compressed air.

Individual Protection Measures, Such as Personal Protective Equipment:

Respiratory Protection: Wear a NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator when high concentrations are present.

Eye Protection: Safety glasses

Skin Protection: Wear impermeable gloves, protective work clothing as necessary.

9   PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance:

Form:                  Powder

Color:                  Gray to black

Odor:                   Not determined

Odor Threshold:  Not determined

pH:                                              N/A

Melting Point:                             ca 3200 ^oC

Boiling Point:                              No data

Flash Point:                                 N/A

Evaporation Rate:                       N/A

Flammability:                             No data

Upper Flammable Limit:             No data

Lower Flammable Limit:             No data

Vapor Pressure:                          No data

Vapor Density:                             N/A

Relative Density (Specific Gravity):     6.085 g/cc

Solubility in H₂O:                         Insoluble

Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water):   Not determined

Autoignition Temperature:         No data

Decomposition Temperature:     No data

Viscosity:                                     N/A

10   STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Reactivity: No data

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: No data

Conditions to Avoid: No data

Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Zirconium oxides, boron oxides.

11   TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eyes.

Symptoms of Exposure: May cause irritation.

Acute and Chronic Effects:

Zirconium Compounds: Most zirconium compounds in common use are considered inert. Pulmonary granuloma in zirconium workers has been reported. Avoid inhalation of zirconium-containing aerosols, which can cause lung granulomas.

Boron Compounds: Only a few human studies have been conducted to assess health effects associated with exposure to boron compounds. The available data show that exposure is associated with short-term irritant effects on the upper respiratory tract, nasopharynx, and eye. These effects, however, appear to be short-term and reversible. The sole long-term (7-year) follow-up study failed to identify any long-term health effects. No studies have been identified that assess reproductive outcomes. From 782 cases of boric acid ingestion … all except two cases were acute ingestions; 88.3% were asymptomatic. Among the remaining 11.7%, frequent symptoms included vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea; less frequent findings included lethargy, headache, lightheadedness, and rash. Among the children less than 6 years of age, 21 ingested more than the estimated lethal dose of 15 g, all without severe manifestations of toxicity or life-threatening symptoms. In this series only minimal toxicity was seen at serum levels of less than or equal to 640 mg/mL.

Acute Toxicity: No data

Carcinogenicity: NTP: Not identified as carcinogenic   IARC: Not identified as carcinogenic

To the best of our knowledge the chemical, physical and toxicological characteristics of the substance are not fully known.

12   ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Ecotoxicity: No data

Persistence and Degradability: No data

Bioaccumulative Potential: No data

Mobility in Soil: No data

Other Adverse Effects: Do not allow material to be released to the environment. No further relevant information available.

13   DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste Disposal Method:

Product: Dispose of in accordance with Federal, State and Local regulations.

Packaging: Dispose of in accordance with Federal, State and Local regulations.

14   TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Shipping Regulations: Not regulated

15   REGULATORY INFORMATION

TSCA Listed: All components are listed.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP): N/A

Canada WHMIS Classification (CPR, SOR/88-66): N/A

HMIS Ratings: Health: 1     Flammability: 0   Physical: 0

NFPA Ratings: Health: 1     Flammability: 0   Reactivity: 0

Chemical Safety Assessment: A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out.

16   OTHER INFORMATION

The information contained in this document is based on the state of our knowledge at the time of publication and is believed to be correct, but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide. ESPI Metals makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind with respect to the information contained in this document or any use of the product based on this information. ESPI Metals shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from handling or from contact with the above product. Users should satisfy themselves that they have all current data relevant to their particular use.

Prepared by:             ESPI Metals

Revised/Reviewed:   May 2015